Jaha Koo wins Ibsen Award 2026

The world’s most prestigious theatre awards aims to honour an individual, an institution or organisation that has brought a new artistic dimension to the world of drama or theatre. The winner is decided by a committee and announced every two years on Ibsen’s birthday.

Jaha Koo is a South Korean theatre maker, composer, and video artist whose practice spans multimedia performance and technology. His performances were produced by CAMPO. His new show 'Born to be K to be POP' will open the 2027 season of VIERNULVIER.

Quotes from the committee statement:

"His work is often funny and engaging, occupying a space between the hyperreal and the absurd. His theatre is unafraid of dismantling genres and playing with conventions. His work has deep resonances with generation Z: young people for whom the digital is the real."

"His is a theatre that feels uniquely experiential and immediate. To see a work by Jaha Koo is to leave the theatre smiling, filled with questions and new curiosities. A theatre to make you think, to be inspired, to leave knowing that there is more to look forward to."